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Jameis Winston talks Bruce Arians, 'odd' 2018 season and more

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced a strange 2018 season, one that starter with back-to-back upsets over NFC playoff teams, included two separate four-game losing streaks, and featured 11 one-score games.

It was also a roller-coaster for quarterback Jameis Winston, who was suspended for the first three games of the regular season due to the NFL’s investigation into allegations he groped a female Uber driver in Arizona in March of 2016.

Winston returned from the suspension, reclaimed his starting job at halftime of a blowout loss to the Chicago Bears, but was benched just four weeks later after throwing four first-half interceptions against the Cincinnati Bengals. Three weeks after that, the tables were turned, as veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick’s dismal first half gave way to Winston, who nearly engineered a miraculous comeback victory.

With the dust starting to settle from the firing of coach Dirk Koetter, and the hiring of Bruce Arians, Winston offered his thoughts on his tumultuous 2018 campaign (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times):

Winston's take on 2018: "I really just have to get back to playing Jameis Winston football, man. That season, it was a very odd season. I really wish I could’ve been in the locker room the first three weeks with the team…

Winston: "The back and forth with the quarterback situation made the year even odder. Getting benched, it was an odd year. The good thing about that is it’s over. I can build off that and head into this new year with a fresh start and definitely hopes for better results (in 2019)

Winston, who is heading into the final year of his rookie contract (a fifth-year option picked up by the Bucs), also discussed his excitement for and history with Arians (via Stroud):

#Bucs QB Jameis Winston on the hiring of Bruce Arians: "“I was very excited. It’s funny how things come around full circle. This is the man that introduced me to the Super Bowl ring, so I definitely want to get one with him.''

Winston participated in Arians' football camp in Birmingham, Ala., when he was 14 or 15 years old. "“It’s just neat that he’s my coach now. It’s really like it’s a surreal moment that how things have come back and forth.''

Jameis Winston on Bruce Arians' plans to declare this is Winston's team: “It means a lot to me man, and that’s just how he is, he stands behind his players and I’m happy our team gets to see that side of him. And I just can’t wait to get in the building and work with him.’’

Winston on Arians offense: "Just using Arizona, I mean Carson Palmer had some of the best years of his career. That was really good so I can’t really wait to watch that and see how I can find my comfort zone in this offense.''

When Arians was hired as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, he took over a 5-11 team and immediately led them to three straight 10-win seasons. Winston and the Bucs, who have gone 5-11 two years in a row now, will be hoping for a similar turnaround under their new coach.

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